Training 2026 Pre Season Training Thread

[KTT]

Paton
Hamling
Adams
Grundy
Jordon
Ladhams
Francis
Hickey
Taylor
Brand
Gray
Clarke
Thurlow
Menzel

That’s our recent “trade-ins” (prior to this year).

Grundy was an AA ruck & can’t be classed as a fringe player - we benefited from Melbourne’s self-inflicted implosion.

The stats don’t lie: it’s rare that we’ve improved our best XXII via the recruitment of fringe players. Aside from JJ (and probably Ruck Jesus), you have to go all the way back to JPK, Mummy and Benny McGlynn.

Which is why I’m keeping a lid on expectations re: Rosas (and Serong).

Yep, my point was, the Swans have had no cash, so we've only traded in minimum wage players that you cant really expect to become stars - mores expect to provide injury depth.
We've also concentrated on the draft and maybe not wanted (or limited want) to give up draft picks.
I think Paton, Hamling, Francis, Brand, Gray, Thurlow and Menzel were all delisted free agents (or very close to) Clarke we got for p61, Taylor was a free agent. What ever they were, no other club wanted them.

Serong and Rosas had 5-6 clubs interested in them which suggests a brighter future.

This trade period and the trade period (Grundy, Jordon, Hamling, Adams) were really the only two trade periods since Buddy that we've been able to have a real crack

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Yep, my point was, the Swans have had no cash, so we've only traded in minimum wage players that you cant really expect to become stars - mores expect to provide injury depth.
We've also concentrated on the draft and maybe not wanted (or limited want) to give up draft picks.
I think Paton, Hamling, Francis, Brand, Gray, Thurlow and Menzel were all delisted free agents (or very close to) Clarke we got for p61, Taylor was a free agent. What ever they were, no other club wanted them.

Serong and Rosas had 5-6 clubs interested in them which suggests a brighter future.

This trade period and the trade period (Grundy, Jordon, Hamling, Adams) were really the only two trade periods since Buddy that we've been able to have a real crack

Not sure Rosas & Serong had “5 or 6 clubs interested in them”.

Pretty sure I read Rosas had a nibble from Richmond & that’s about it. Not so sure about Serong.

We all want to believe that recruits will be diamonds in the rough & we’ll identify talent that other clubs haven’t.

But realistically, that’s a rarity. And Rosas is mid-career with a pretty well disclosed form line.

Anyway, only time will tell.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Not sure Rosas & Serong had “5 or 6 clubs interested in them”.

Pretty sure I read Rosas had a nibble from Richmond & that’s about it. Not so sure about Serong.

We all want to believe that recruits will be diamonds in the rough & we’ll identify talent that other clubs haven’t.

But realistically, that’s a rarity. And Rosas is mid-career with a pretty well disclosed form line.

Anyway, only time will tell.

Rosas' final choices this year were us and Richmond. Brisbane, Adelaide and Essendon (as well as us) were all interested and looking at him in 2024.

 

[RubbaDuck]

Paton
Hamling
Adams
Grundy
Jordon
Ladhams
Francis
Hickey
Taylor
Brand
Gray
Clarke
Thurlow
Menzel

That’s our recent “trade-ins” (prior to this year).

Grundy was an AA ruck & can’t be classed as a fringe player - we benefited from Melbourne’s self-inflicted implosion.

The stats don’t lie: it’s rare that we’ve improved our best XXII via the recruitment of fringe players. Aside from JJ (and probably Ruck Jesus), you have to go all the way back to JPK, Mummy and Benny McGlynn.

Which is why I’m keeping a lid on expectations re: Rosas (and Serong).

One could argue that Ryan Clarke played a critical role as a defensive forward in our late 2022 charge towards the GF. He shut down Nick Daicos so effectively in Round 22 that Nick relied entirely on kickouts for early touches. Clarke went from perpetual sub to a key role as defensive forward in a run of nine straight wins from Rd17 onwards.

As off-season footy entertainment, I highly recommend 2022 Rd17 onwards, up to but not including the GF. Buddy, Reid, Hickey and the inpenetrable McCartin brothers formed a formidable spine (with cameos from Amartey and McDonald).

Mills was in top form, as was Heeney. Papley was on fire, Hickey was full-on Ruck Jesus. Despite the recent retirement of JPK, Parker and Rowbottom were both in dominate form. Gulden and Warner were emerging as future stars. Fox ruled over the last line of defence and even Stephens was showing his best form. Reid had arguably returned to career best form (which ended with his injury in the prelim). Buddy too, was enjoying a last sunset....but I digress.


Ryan Clarke certainly improved our best XXII, if only for half a season.

 

[McGowan3]

One could argue that Ryan Clarke played a critical role as a defensive forward in our late 2022 charge towards the GF. He shut down Nick Daicos so effectively in Round 22 that Nick relied entirely on kickouts for early touches. Clarke went from perpetual sub to a key role as defensive forward in a run of nine straight wins from Rd17 onwards.

As off-season footy entertainment, I highly recommend 2022 Rd17 onwards, up to but not including the GF. Buddy, Reid, Hickey and the inpenetrable McCartin brothers formed a formidable spine (with cameos from Amartey and McDonald).

Mills was in top form, as was Heeney. Papley was on fire, Hickey was full-on Ruck Jesus. Despite the recent retirement of JPK, Parker and Rowbottom were both in dominate form. Gulden and Warner were emerging as future stars. Fox ruled over the last line of defence and even Stephens was showing his best form. Reid had arguably returned to career best form (which ended with his injury in the prelim). Buddy too, was enjoying a last sunset....but I digress.


Ryan Clarke certainly improved our best XXII, if only for half a season.

A strong ray of sunshine amongst the gloom.